McGuckin Loses Mizzen Mast During 70 knot Storm

Irish Golden Globe Race entrant Gregor McGuckin has lost his mizzen mast during a knockdown in the Indian Ocean. The 32-year-old is currently battling 70 knot (130 kph) winds and over 10m seas as a very severe storm passes over him.

Now 81 days into this approximate 250-day non-stop race around the planet, McGuckin will have to complete the voyage without a mizzen mast. The mizzen mast is the smaller of the two masts on his Biscay 36 yacht ‘Hanley Energy Endurance’. While a major setback, losing a mizzen mast will not force McGuckin to retire. The main disadvantage he faces is that in the event of losing his self-steering system it will make balancing the boat to hold a steady course very challenging. More details to follow when McGuckin calls the race office for his weekly safety call this morning. The call will be available on the Golden Globe Race’s SoundCloud.